When work finally begins this fall to widen Interstate 26, residents and visitors can expect four or five years of construction that’s sure to cause traffic jams and delays. Yet this long overdue project will, when it is done, improve traffic flow and safety.

The N.C. Department of Transportation will widen I-26 from four to eight lanes from I-40 in Buncombe County to U.S. 25 at Mountain Home, and to six lanes from there to U.S. 64. A later project is slated to continue the six lanes to U.S. 25 South. . .

The long and involved project to upgrade I-26 is sure to try everyone’s patience. DOT should use every communication method available to get the word out about delays so motorists can plan to avoid sections where traffic jams are bound to occur. . . Continue reading